Journal
Navajo jewelry has become one of the most sacred parts of the modern Navajo Nation‘s Native culture. The Navajo are believed to have first learned jewelry making and metal working from the Spanish. Today the Navajo artists use traditional as well as modern tools, to create some distinctive and highly desired jewelry. Traditionally Navajo families of jewelry artists and silversmiths teach these techniques and methods to their children, allowing the craft to be passed down from generation to generation. Many talented artists have emerged who continue to evolve the Navajo style and unique tribal methods have developed over the last few centuries.
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Authentic handmade Native American jewelry is valued for its unique beauty and hand craftsmanship. Because the jewelry is handmade, using natural materials, it may be more vulnerable to damage than the generic mass-produced jewelry found on the market. Here are 8 tips to consider for maintaining your authentic handmade jewelry: Avoid Water Avoid submerging jewelry in […]
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Tufa (also called tuff) is a type of volcanic stone. Massive volcanic explosions send millions of tons of ash into the air, which then settles in layers downwind. Over a long time, these ash layers are compressed into tufa, a light and porous volcanic stone. Tufa has been used by humans for centuries as a […]
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Meet Darryl Dean Begay a Navajo a well known Navajo silversmith living the the Gallup New Mexico area with his wife and kids. Darryl is known for his work with Tufa casting. In this video he introduces himself and his work. Hi, My Name is Darryl Dean Begay, I’m a Navajo jeweler from Roundrock Arizona. […]
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Shumakolowa Shumakolowa is the Zuni word for dragonfly. Pronounced “shoe-mu-koh-low-wa,” the Zuni dragonfly is an iconic symbol often used in fine Native American art. The dragonfly is a sacred creature for many Native tribes in the Southwest. The appearance of a Shumakolowa is often the harbinger of rain or blessings. Sometimes the name is misspelled […]
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